The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-06-09
COMMENCEMEN ORATIONS.
A Lady Writes About Them in Sarcas
tic Vein.

A Lady Writes About Them in sarcas-
tic Vein.
Especial Cor STATE CHRONICLE.l
The following letter was written by Mr..
Solomon H. Young to his son, Henry:
YoUNGsroN, N. c., May IS, 1887.
DEAR HENRY am much gratifed by
the compliment paid you by Prof. Green,
Principal of the Polishville Academy for
Young Ladies, in asking you to address
them at commencement. l was also graft
fed to see that, though young lawyer
set up in business for yourself, you think
there are still some things you may learn
from your father. You are right in think
ing like honor was bestowed on me some
thirty years ago. Your mother was among
the graduates, dressed in white with blue
ribbons, and she says there never was such
an address before or since. will give you
sketch of my speech and some hints that
may be useful.
You know that addressing girls is an
altogether different thing from speaking
to boys. 1t is strange that, thoug gh wo.
man was made shortly after man, say
some six thousand years ago, it has never
been quite decided what to do with her.
The first talent of the country has been
directed to the solution of this question
during the last fifty years, espe cially dur
ing the months of May and June, and yet it
remains unsolved. The immense impor-
tance of this question will strike you at
once, for to see the young women of our
land growing up, performing all the duties
that devolve upon them, to be sure, but
ignorant of their mission is ptiable. Why
there is that blessed woman, your mother,
doubt, if beyond few scattered thoughts
from my address she has the least idea
what her mission really is.
The title of my address, which think
could hardly be improved on was, 'Wo-
mans Mission" and | was universally
complimented on having chosen something
new and striking. 1t will do to talk to
boys about Character, Science, Religion or
History, but all these subjects would obvi-
ously be improper for girls when they are
still at loss to know whether these things
come within their sphere, not knowing
what that is.
After choosing new and pleasing title,
the next matter of Importance is to begin
IN a graceful and striking manner. This
you can do by saying that woman is Gods
last best gift to man" This has been tried
a hundred times and never failed to please
And right here let me say that you had
better get book of GREAT SAYINGS BY
GREAT AUTHORS, before you begin. There
always is in such a book large space de-
voted to poetry about woman and this will
| be of great assistance to you as you cannot
please them better than by making your
address up half of such quotations. Don't
hesitate to make a quotation because you
think the terms too tiattering. NOTHING
can be too tiattering to please women.
Flattery to women is what success is to
men. Say the nice things whether you
think so or not, you are quoting. Call
them MAN guiding star, ,""Goddess of the
Home" 'Angels," Realized dreams,
''Arbitrators of mans destines," which, of
course, they are not, but its we'll for them
to think so, "Men's ruling spirits and ap-
pendages generally" ''Earth's most beau
tiful flowers" earth was desert until
woman smiled" &C., &c. OF course, this
is a mere outline. You can think of more
compliments in the same strain and will
be sure to please if you only have ENOUGH.
Having gone on this way until your time
is up, finish with quotation of about
eighteen lines in length and am sure you
will take your seat amid sounds of ap-
plause and be overwhelmed with compli
ments on having thrown new light on the
subject under consideration.
With earnest belief in your success al
Polishville, l am,
Your affectionate father,
SOLOMON II. YOUNG.
2. S.-Your mother wishes me to ado
that she knows your speech will be very
fine, and please do not forget to send the
blue zepher like the sample she sent yor
on Monday. S. H. Y.